Artist Talk: Cheryl Molnar

The serene landscapes of my work are created though collaging strips of oil-stained paper onto natural birch panels. Tracts of ranch houses and other modern, architectural structures are carved directly into the wood and then stained with oil. This process creates permanent incisions into the panel itself. The juxtaposition of these two opposing forms and processes symbolize my exploration of the American Dream as it has evolved from my parents’ generation through mine.

The ranch house – the house I grew up in – represents the American “Baby Boomer” generation’s desire to own property and lead a traditional life in a suburban, familiar environment. Growing up here, I recognized that, in the name of stability, any deviations from the social norms were unaccepted – preventing people from expressing their individuality. People had to sacrifice desires to fit into the mold of the American Dream.

The landscapes in this work are presented with the same irony as the idyllic American Dream of my parents. Attracted to its beauty and breathtaking scenery, communities flocked to these landscapes, littering them and ruining the features that attracted them.

For my project at Weir Farm, I would like to expand on the ideas of my current body of work by exploring topiaries and other forms of landscaping. Ideas developed at the farm would be executed in a variety of forms. I have always been attracted to collage in all of its forms – 2D, 3D and interactive media because I can juxtapose several ideas into one piece. The exploration would have long standing inspiration for my future work.